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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Brrr! Winter is in full effect around here and it is COLD! How about some tutorials to keep the kids cozy & warm and still be easy on the pocketbook? This week I'm sharing a two-part how-to for making matching, insulted snow pants and mittens, using single yards of fabric. And for less than $25 for an entire set:

Yes, those are 101 Dalmatians frolicking on both the snow pants & mittens!

Today's Part 1 is an updated version of my popular DIY Insulated Snow Pants. These babies are great because they are just as warm as the ultra pricey brands and you can customize your own color combos.

*1 yd is enough to make up to about 10yr old sizing. If you want to make a lot smaller or larger, follow your pattern's yardage guide & adjust accordingly.

All these materials can be found at most chain fabric stores - using coupons can make them very affordable. Personally, I find the best selection of fleece and PUL prints & colors is online, look for diaper sewing shops to find some cute and unique designs.

The pants pattern I used had a single piece for each leg. If yours has 2 (a front & back), just overlap the side seams by the amount of the seam allowance to make a single leg piece - it saves time! Since these will be going over regular clothing, choose one size up from the pant size usually worn on the sides of the pattern for the best fit (leaving waist & length the usual size). Cut folded fabric so there are two pieces of each of the thermal batting, fleece and PUL:

Now layer a piece of thermal batting over the wrong side of the PUL:

Fold with the right sides of the PUL facing and stitch down the side. Trim the seam allowance and repeat on other leg:

Turn one leg right side out and insert into the other leg so the crotch areas are lined up. Pin together and then stitch. Trimming seam allowance again.

Repeat with other leg and again using just the fleece to make lining. I also sewed a tag onto the inner backside of the lining at this point so it's easy to know which way is back.

With right sides of outer & lining facing (and fronts and backs matching up), insert the outer pant into the lining and pin together the waists.

Stitch together with a .5 inch seam allowance, leaving a two inch gap at the back for turning.

Pull the lining out and it should look like this:

Now stuff lining into the outer pants and stitch waistbands together 1.25 inches from the top seam to form the waistband casing:

Measure the wearer's waist and ankles. Cut elastic for waist and insert into gap and work around with a safety pin:

Sew ends of elastic together and sew gap in fabric closed. I did this by hand with a slipstitch:

Now there are two cuff options. One is to trim off the .5 inch seam allowance and stitch on some FOE (fold over elastic) the bottom hem with a triple zig-zag stitch. I did this with the pants for my boys since their boots were a lot thicker and we wanted the pant cuffs to pull over them.

For a firmer, more gathered cuff, fold the raw edges of the cuffs inward .5 inches and pin:

Stitch cuffs together .25 inch from edge, leaving a 1.5 inch gap. Repeat step for making the casing, inserting the elastic and closing the gap.

Pull them on and they're ready for the snow. And they total rival the high end brands that cost $50+ in terms of warmth & keeping wetness out.

You can have them made & the kids out playing in the snow less than 60 minutes from hearing the words "Snow Day"!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the tutorial later this week. I'll share how to make some matching insulated mittens for keeping hands warm using the scraps leftover after making these pants. UPDATE: Click HERE for the FREE mitten pattern & how-to.

Thanks so much Theresa - after I dreamed these up, I couldn't believe it hadn't occurred to me sooner! The mittens how-to and FREE downloadable pattern are now up. You can find them here: http://www.sewcando.com/2013/01/make-your-own-snow-gear-part-2.html

You have the BEST ideas and tutorials for making so many things! If I had your know-how I would never ever have to purchase a single article of clothing for me or my family again! GREAT job, and thanks so much for sharing it with us for Pearls and Lace Thursday! Off to read that mitten tutorial!!Blessings,Doni

That is just crazy! I love that you made your own snow pants! I would have never thought that it was possible! I am feeling inspired! Thank you so much for sharing at the Inspiration Gallery Link Party! I am pinning this idea to our feature board! Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

These are great!! My kids are getting out of the kids clothes sizes and snow pants for juniors/misses are outrageous!! These would be so much more fun...pattern on material and unique to them. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Thanks for sharing the tutorial! We only occasionally get snow so there's no sense investing in snow pants that will more than likely be outgrown before they are needed. I'll have to stash some of these fabrics so I'm ready to go.;)

These are TOTALLY waterproof on the outside. The outer fabric is PUL, which is what is used in today's cloth diapers. It's polyester that's coated with a layer of polyurethane. As someone who's used it for making diapers, waterproof bags and snow pants for use in Michigan winter I can attest to the stay-dry power of these!

I was wondering how durable these were? I am thinking of making a cute pair for my 8 yo for next year. And maybe a pair for my 12.5 year old boy (black of course with pockets). The reason I ask is my kids fall and tend to tear a hole in there pants... do to not enough snow or just being taller and heavier then other kids... my dd is in a size 16 for next year. And my son is well into a Large man size. Sounds odd but he didn't use snow pants that much this year so I didn't buy him a new pair his size is way expensive for a few times out with his sister or snow blowing (with a leaf blower) . :o)

Angela, these wear like iron. I made ours a size bigger and they've last YEARS. You can't really tear PUL fabric, so unless they are falling on scissors or something crazy sharp you can't rip holes in it. If you use the materials I specify, your snow pants will be way more durable and warm than anything you can buy.